The 2021 holiday season is underway, and the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines means that this year, many of us are getting caught up in cooking, eating, drinking, shopping, and connecting face-to-face with family and friends. For some of us, it also means having that important but sometimes-awkward conversation about vaccine status.

For too many people, 'tis the season....to feel stressed. Stress can feel overwhelming and make everyday life challenging for anyone, but it can be especially challenging if you're living with an unpredictable disease like multiple sclerosis.

Returning to the podcast to share strategies that we can use to identify and manage stress when it strikes is advanced registered nurse practitioner, Megan Weigel. Megan specializes in neurological care, and she brings a unique integrative medicine and holistic nursing perspective to her practice.

We'll also share results of a study that shows you may already have everything you need to help reduce MS-related fatigue.

We'll tell you about research that shows that a low-cost over-the-counter product is effective in helping people living with MS get more and better-quality sleep.

We'll share the details of a new report that explains how systemic inequities have a direct effect on caregivers in minority communities.

And we'll give you the details about a new service from Amazon that turns your Alexa device into a caregiver's best partner.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

A study reveals a simple non-pharmaceutical method to help reduce MS-related fatigue  1:06

This over-the-counter remedy has been shown to help you get more and better quality sleep   2:56

The National Alliance for Caregiving issues a new report identifying the systemic challenges facing caregivers in minority communities:  5:54

The new Amazon Together service can be an MS caregiver's best partner   7:23

Megan Weigel shares tips and strategies for reducing stress during the holiday season...and beyond   10:33

Share this episode  24:35

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app???  24:55

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/224

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance

National MS Society Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Guidance for People Living with MS https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Additional-COVID-19-Vaccine-Dose-(Booster)-and-MS

First Coast Integrative Medicine https://firstcoastintegrativemedicine.com

STUDY: Effects of Exercise on Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: A Network Meta-Analysis Comparing Different Types of Exercisehttps://archives/pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(21)01417-9/fulltext#%20

National MS Society: Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations for ALL People with MShttps://nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Exercise-and-Physical-Activity-Recommendations-for

STUDY: Effects of Melatonin on Sleep Disturbances in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Studyhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20552173211048756

Caregiving in a Diverse America: Beginning to Understand the Systemic Challenges Facing Family Caregivers https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NAC_AmgenDiverseCaregiversReport_FinalDigital-112121.pdf

Amazon Together https://amazon.com/Alexa-Together/b?ie=UTF8&node=21390531011

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 224 Guests: Megan Weigel, DNP

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS

Privacy Policy